US Navy to Upgrade H-1 Mission Computers

Woodrow Bellamy III

[Avionics Today April 25, 2014] The U.S. Navy has issued a $10.6 million contract to Northrop Grumman to provide new mission computers for its fleet of AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters.

Under the contract, Northrop will deliver its FlightPro Gen III mission computers, with 8-core PowerPC-based processors. Currently the Marine Corps is using the FlightPro Gen II mission computers, and plans to add the Gen III version to other aircraft in the future as well.

According to Northrop Grumman the Gen III computers can be configured for fixed wing and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) as well.